Cluster-socket.



PATENTED MAR; 12, 1907 J, H.. DALE. CLUSTER SOCKET. APPLICATION IiLEDMAY 24, 1996.

2 SHEETS-SHEBT 1 o. 846,912 I PATENIED MAR. 12, 1907.

m1. DALE.

CLUSTER SOCKET. APPLIOATION FILED MAY 24, 1906.

'2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

lm income JOHN H. DALE, on NEW YORK, N. Y.

QLUSTER-SOQKET,

Specification of Iietters Patent.

Patented March .2, 1907.

Application filed May 24. 1906. Serial No. 318,487.

To all whom it min/y concern:

Be it known that I, JonN H. I)ALE, 'a citizen of the United States,residing at the city of New York, in the county of New York and State ofNew York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cluster-Sockets, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact descript'on.

My invention re ates to receptacles or cluster-sockets for incandescentlamps, the prin- .cipal object being to'cnable the individual lamps tobe grouped in series, in multiple, or in any other'combinations withinthe cluster without altering its structural characteristics ment ofparts, as hereinafter set forth and form the structure shown in Fig. 3.

shown and finally particularly pointed out in the appondi-d claims.

-ln th c drawings, Figure l. is a sectional view showing acluster-socket emhodying the principles of my invention. Fig. 2 is aplan view of the same with the top plate rcn'ioved. Fig. 3 is apcrscctivc view showing one of the metallic parts. Fig. 4 is a viewillustrating a blank which may be bent to Fig. 5' is v a diagramshowing'ccrl ain connections which I may employ. Fig. 6 is a similar diaram showing other connections. Fig. 7 S10WS still -a different form of"connection. which may he used. Fig. 8 is a detail view showing aconvenient link or clip for the purpose of making the necessary conncctions.

In place of individual lamps on separate 'hrackets it is now customaryto employ cluster-soolu-ds with ahemispherical casing h aving cqually-sp'accd openings th El'Bttl'lOU t in which the lamps are received.Some of those clustcresockcts are arranged to connect the lamps inseries and some in rnult'iydc; but so far as 1 am aware in all cases thearrangement is pcrl'nanent for any particular type. ln mther words, theseries clusters cannot i be used to connect the lamps in multiple, and

the multiple sockets cannot he employed for connecting the lamps inseries. It is of course obvious that the lamps cannot be connected inseries multiple or any special wiring in any case. Such. special wiringis frequently desired'in practice, however, notably where'differentlamps are in separate circuits, so as to be capable of separateillumination. The lamps are arranged in this way so that one, two,three, or the whole group may be lighted as desired. In carrying out myinvention I aim to provide a cluster having all the advantages of formshitherto used with respect to com .actness, strength, and caseinassembling t 0. different parts and, in addition to these features, tosecure a universal arrangement by which the lamps can be combined inseries and multiple orin any other desired or special way.

Referring now to the drawings, in which like parts are designated by thesame referencesi 'n, 1 indicates a casing, 1preferably hcmispierical inshape and w. ici has orifices 2 conveniently spaced thcreabout inequidistant relation.

3 indicates the top plate or cover, havin hoyonct-fastenings 4 with thecasing and havin a central bushing 5, which. may he threa ed to engageany suitable bracket.

6 indicates an insulating-plate contained. within the cover for apurposehereinafter stated. A convenient method of holding the plate 6 inposition is by means of'indcntod portions 7 of the cover-rim whichengage over the plate 6 and hold it in place.

Vithin the casing 1 is suspended What i. shall term a Tbase or terminal"block 8, which has all the necessary terminal connections thereon andwhich is suspended wholly from the casing l'through theinsulating-bushings of the lam )s. For this purpose the base or terminalblock has threaded shells 9 projecting therefrom in a" -lirection to bereceived axially within the perforations 2 of thc'oa-sing, and thesethreaded shells are then firmly engaged and held in such coaxialrelation by the insulati]igrhushings 10, which are threaded onto theshells and closely received into said perforations 2. By this means theshells, and with them the connected base or terminal block 8, arerigidly suspended inpro ier rclation. with the casing 1 and complete yout of all electrical contact thcrcwitln The man be seen. that theterminals attached thereto.

the casing 1.

having arms 35 bent into the form shown in the arms 18 diverge from onearms 18 inclose the 5 the extremities of these arms, which are lieui I5c tremities of the arms.

' shown-M22, inoreler to ernn't a wider r3 4 With the clips 14..

assembled by flexing all of the shells down fwarcll; upon their pivotbleof insertion through the apertures 2,

0 so as to hold the shells, and with and are in electrical communicationwith the ner in which the shells are connected to the base or terminalblock 8 will hereinafter more fully appear.

Referring now articularly to Fig. 1, it will Jase or terminal block 8 issYecially formed and recessed so as to he capab e of having the variousmetallic parts and In practice I which is mold- I l l make the block ofporcelain.

10 ed in the form of a flat disk, having protuberances 1 1 unitsugpersurfaceof which there are as many provi ed as are the lamps requued.

These protuberances are spaced, around the block so as to lie oppositethe a ertures 2 of 12 indicate metallic bushings, having stems l3threaded at their lower ends, so as to be engaged into properly-tappedmetallic clips 14. The clips 14 are bent ujp- I Ward, so that theirextremities 15 he ill t 1e 5 2o axial directions of the apertures 22 ofthe cas l mg. 16 indicate headed screws, which are I received into themetallic bushings 12 so as to constitute binding posts or terminals ltherewith, It will be seen that the bushings l 2 5 12 and screws 16 liein counterhored relation l to the rotuberances 11, so that en insulet Jing-wa is produced around the tcrn'iinal. i

In the some radial lines with. the piE'Ullill)GZ- l ances 11 I alsoarrange metallic terminals 18. A. practical method of eonstructing theseterminals is illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. A sheet-metal blank is g ithe general form shown in Fig. 4 a arms 18, 19, and 26*. This plate ilather, Wllllfi l the arms 19and 29 naparsileplnes. if? I and 20'indicate threw ezi'holes in the two plates 19 and 2G.

These terminals are as- 4o sembled upon the hose or terminal block l l ll l screws 19*, in which relation the divergent l protuberances 11between l them. 20 are additional screws which conl stitutebinding-posts. 21 indicate ears lei laterally into alineincnt with oneanother. v The threaded shells '9. previou have openings which. areengaged by the ears 21,- so that the shells are pivoted to the ex. l

in. practice the sh lls are cut away at their u gin-er and lower SHEQ ofpivotal movement am. in order to pres c the possibility of any shellscoming in contact The complete cluster is s until the}! are caps-- l terit are screwed thereon, them the baseor terminal block 8, firmlyiii-position. he various screws 16 constitute terminals Which thebushings clips 15, which are in the path of the central I for anysuitable capa i e of making connections arranged as to stud orlJrotuberanees of an ordinary inan descent amp. The various screws 20constitute terminals, being in direct metallic commotion therewith. Itis evident that wires may be engaged beneath anyone of these screws orbinding-posts for Ina-kin any de sired electrical connections. It wil beseen that the bushings 12, their stems 13, and the clips 14 areseparated widely atev'ery point from any other metallic part orterminal. This is on account of the protection formed by theinsulating-promberances 11. In order to give still greater protectionand security, the'screws bored holes. ticc relates to the provision of acentralopening 23 in the base or terminal block 8 through which wires orconnections may beled.

In order that the manner of use of the invention may he made clear, Ihave shown different plans of wiring and connecting the variousterminals to secure different effects. In Fig. 5 the terminals areconnected to give ordinary multiple wiring. For this I: ose it is merelynecessary to connect al 0 lithe screws 1%} together by 'ire connectionsfrom one branch the nest the various hincli'ng posts 20 together and tothe other branch of the powebcirouit. in t; .l have shown an arrangementby which the various lamps may he connected in series. For this purposeit is n'ierely necessary connect screws-i6 and 20. together innon-corresponding pairs and to leadthe final. or remainin terminals tothe power connections. In lg. 7 I have shown the carious lamps isentirely separate'circuits purpose-vets, for example, in order that theymay be individually illumil hated. he the connections; but I re ertoemploy s eciel connecting-clips of tlie form shown in lig, 8. These haveholes 24 at their ex 19 cm located in counten An additional feature ofprac powencircuit'and to con- In all cases simple cop )er wires maytwenties and. may he heat at 25,soas to he i from the de- 3 red screwsHi. In making these connec one it is not necessary to' use insulated orcovered wire, since the various terminals are render anyshort-circuiting a grounds unlikely, even if hare connectin Wires orstrips are used. This is because .al

sec 8 and the insole-t ingslisk 6, so that there as no place for thewires or .comiectiona'to become grounded on the casing. Theprotulcrauccs l l are also extended ahove the plane ol' the otherterminal connections 20, so that the wires fron'i one terminal toanother may actually pass over one apotherwdhout coming into contact.When the different lam )S are connected into individual circuits, asshown in Fla. -7, it is of course best to employ ordlnnnv insulated wirefor mak ng the connections he connections lie letwcen theinsulatingpoints coaxial with said What I claim is--- 1. In a receptacleor cluster-socket for incandescent lamps, a plurality of metallic partshaving integral arms, terminal screws -thrcadr-zd into each of saidparts, threac'led tending to a point coaxial with said shells, andterminal screws on saul c said base, and means for making series or 6multiple connections between the lamp-terminals. I

8. A receptacle or cluster-socket for inc-andescent lamps comprising abase or terminal shells pivoted to saidarms, n'ietnll r rhps' exlips.said lerminal screws all projecting in the same:

general direction, whereby they may he conneeted in dillcrent Ways.

2. In a receptacle or cluster-socket for in c-andescent lamps, abascd'iloclr, a plurality of metallic parts each ed in dillermitcombinations.

haying a terminal,

screw supported by said base-block, threaded shells supported by saidpart-s, additional metallic clips also simported on said basebloek andarranged'to ex tend. to points (0- f axial with said shells, andterminal screws on said metallic clips, al of said terminal screwsprojecting in the same direction from the base-block whereby they may beconnected in difierent combinations as desired. 3. In a receptacle orcluster-socket for incandescent lamps, a base or terminal block, aplurality'of metallic parts each. having a pair of divergent armssecured to said block and constitutin terminals, shells pivoted to saidarms, metrillic clips ext-ending to points coaxial with said shells, andscrews or connections passed through said block beti-veen said arms forholding the clips in place, said connections constituting terminalstherefor.

4. In a receptacle or cluster-socket for in candeseent lamps, a base orterminahblock having protuberances and constituting a support for thethreaded shells and central stud connections of incandescent lamps, andmeans passed through said. protuherances and constituting tern'iinalsfor said central stud connections. V

5. In a receptacle or cluster-socket for incandescent lamps, a base orterminal block having protuberances threaded shells, means secured uponthe upper face of said block and supporting said shells, the lower faceof said block and exten connections to tuberances.

6. In a receptacle 0r cluster-s0cket for mmetallic clips upon; cling toshells, and electric said clips through said procuitwires,cii-ch of saidtern'iinals cande scent lamps, an insulating base or termmal blockhaving threaded shells thereon and terminals therefor, and havingprotuher QJJCOS'OPPOSIEB said terminals, metallic clips on the underface of shad block and extending to points coaxial with said theconnections from said clips exlemlmg through said protuheranees.

shells, and elec- 5 7. A receptachj-gr Cluster-socketl'or incandescentlampsnomprising a base or terminal block having threaded shells thereon,msulatingdmshings on a support' l or said base, lamp-terminals on saidshells, and serving as block having threaded shells pivoted thereto, acasing serving as a support for said shells, and means projecting fromthe upper face ol said base-block and constituting terminals, saidterminals being free to he connectl-). A receptacle or cluster-socketfor incandescent lamps comprising a base or terminal block of insulatingmaterial, mum-terminals mounted thereon, means supported by saidtern'iinals for receiving a plurality of incandescent lamps additionalcentral stud-terminals, and means projecting from one face of saidterminal block for the connection of cirhavingseparate means for hulkingsuch connections.

10. in a receptacle or cluster-socket, an insulating base or block,threaded shells pivoted thereto, central stud connections or terminalscorresponding to said shells, and means projecting from one face of saidblock adapted to make separate circuit-wire connections with each ofsaid threaded shells and central stud eormections or terminals.

I 1. In a receptacle or cluster-socket, an insulating base or blockhaving arms projecting therefrom, threaded shells pivotally supportedfrom said arms, a casing having apertures, bushings in said aperturesand surrounding said. shells, whereby said base or block is supported,and means projecting from one face of said base or block forestablishing any desired circuit-wire connections with said threadedshells.

fl 2. In a receptacle or cluster-socket, an insulating base or blockhaving pretuberanccs thereon, the upper part of said protuberances beingof .ounterbored form, terminals within said protuherances, threadedshells and terminals therefor, all of said terminals being separate anddistinct from one another and capable of receiving separatecircuit\vire.s in dill'erent combii'iations.

13. In a receptacle or cluster-socket, a base or terminal block ofinsulating material having a plurality of metallic terminals thereon,shells fixed to said terminals, a plurality of metallic clips extendingto a point axial of said shells, and separate terminals for said.metallic clips.

14. In a receptacle. or cluster-socket, a plu, rality ol metallic partseach having a pair of arms, shells supported by said arms, and ad-(lilional metallic clips extending to a point ai'ial ol' said shells.

l5. ln :1 reee -itar-hi or cl llstcl-s='n'l{(lt, a plurnlity ol metallicparts each having a pair of arms, shells supported by said arms, andadditional metallic clips extending to a point ICC) -4= I name-1'2 axialof mid-shells, all of said metallic parts spectively, and an additionalterminaLwm end ch 3 being insulated from one another. nection "for thecentral stud of vthe usual in- 16. fn a receptacle or cluster-socket fori'ncs 'nd'eseent ia'm'p. candesoent lamps, a base or terminal. block, a'In witness whereof I subscribemy signa- 5 terminal comprising ametallic part having ture in the presence oftwo witnesses, foul" arms,-two of which are bent into par- JOHN D allel planes, and two of whichdiverge from. one another, a shell on said divergent arms, a Witnesses:a pair of screws in said parallel arms constitut- FREDK: A. HOPTON,

:0 ing a fastening means and a binding-post re- E. E. -BUYNON.

